Kerala floods: Disaster mitigation should be a subject in school curriculum, says NDRF

Kerala floods: Disaster mitigation should be a subject in school curriculum, says NDRF

Following Kerala floods, National Disaster Response Force says wants the subject of disaster mitigation be included in school curriculum to train students to become the first responders in times of natural calamities and help reduce casualties.

NDRF General said that school children, cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and village defence force personnel can play vital roles at the time of natural calamities. (Image: Getty)

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) played a crucial role in Kerala floods where nearly 300 people have lost their lives since August 8 in the second spell of the monsoon that also displaced 10.4 lakh people.

Now, it has said that the subject of disaster mitigation should be included in the school curriculum to train students to become the first responders in times of natural calamities and help reduce casualties.

Need to prepare children for natural calamities

"The need of the hour is awareness on natural calamities. We can train children on disaster mitigation by making it part of the school curriculum," Director General of NDRF, Sanjay Kumar told PTI.

Kumar also said that school children, cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and village defense force personnel can play vital roles at the time of natural calamities like floods, fires, quakes or tsunamis, and can be trained properly so that they can be the first responders in any disaster.

NDRF's rescue operation in Kerala

Talking about the latest rescue operations in Kerala, the DG said they have deployed their highest-ever strength in a single state with 207 boats and 58 teams.

DG Kumar said that about 67 lakh people across the country have been imparted basic combat training by the NDRF till now as part of its efforts to create effective response against calamities like earthquakes and floods.